I walk into the shop, flip the switch, and that familiar thrum fills the air. The Delta 28-245 comes up to speed, the tires blur, and the blade sings a low note that always makes me grin. Maybe you feel that buzz too, or maybe you want to. Either way, this long read shows you how to get every clean slice, every tight curve, and every whisper-thin veneer from this classic fourteen-inch saw.
Quick note before we dig in. I write from the bench, not the office, so you will see sawdust on the page. I use short lines, one comma per sentence, and plenty of bullets so you can scan fast. I toss in a few stories because numbers alone never moved a plank. Ready? Let us cut.
Snapshot Specs
- Cast iron frame and table.
- Throat about fourteen inches.
- Stock height six inches without riser and close to twelve with one.
- Blade length near ninety-three and one-half inches in stock trim.
- Best blade width range one-eighth to three-quarter inch.
- Table tilts zero to forty-five degrees right.
- Wheel speed near three thousand surface feet per minute.
- Weight in the two-hundred-fifty-pound ballpark.
- Motors often half to one horsepower.
The list looks dry, yet each line shapes what you can build. The heavy frame quells shake. The modest motor runs on a normal outlet. The blade length matches off-the-shelf packs, so you avoid custom orders. Small things that matter.
Why This Saw Still Earns Shop Space
Some tools fight for a corner, but this one pays rent. It slices thin veneer for drawer fronts. It rips legs with no tear out. It scrolls a cabriole foot that turns a table from plain to proud. I reach for it almost every day, even with a table saw standing by.
What sets it apart?
- Balance of size and weight
Big enough for tasks up to a foot thick, small enough to roll aside on a mobile base. - Solid parts support
Tires, bearings, guides, even factory bolts still appear online or at swap meets. - Calm cut quality
The cast frame soaks stray vibes, so the blade follows the line without chatter. - Easy power draw
A one-horse motor plugs into a usual wall outlet, so no need for new wire.
The mix keeps owners from outgrowing the saw too quick, which is why used prices stay firm.
Hunting a Good Used Delta 28-245
I bought and flipped a stack of secondhand saws, and patterns appear. Sellers claim gently used when the tires look like a dry riverbed. Others undervalue a gem because they think every old tool is scrap. Use this ten-minute field test, save your wallet, and dodge regret.
Gear Bag
- Slim straightedge.
- Small square.
- Bright flashlight.
- Quarter for the vibration trick.
- Scrap hardwood about one inch thick.
Frame and Wheels
- Scan the spine around wheel posts for cracks.
- Spin each wheel by hand and listen. A low hush means good bearings. A grind tells you trouble.
- Look at the rubber tires. Big splits or glassy glaze hint at age.
- Sight each rim from the side. A wobble shows a bent hub or warped wheel.
Table and Trunnions
- Lay the straightedge across the plate front to back and side to side.
- Any sag will pop into view like daylight under a door.
- Tilt the table, lock it back to zero, and confirm the square still reads true.
Guides and Post
- Raise and lower the guide post. It should glide then lock tight.
- Wiggle the guide blocks or bearings. They must stay snug, not sloppy.
Motor and Belt
- Fire up the saw. The blade should reach speed quick, no stall.
- Listen for squeal that signals a loose belt.
- Check the pulleys. Sharp dings or missing set screws hurt cut quality.
Coin Vibe Test
- Stand a quarter on edge near the throat while the saw runs.
- If the coin stays upright or just quivers, the saw rests on a solid base.
Cut Test
- Trace a straight line on your scrap.
- Feed it slow.
- If the kerf drifts or burns, the tune is off or the blade is dull. Either way you gain leverage to bargain.
Missing Parts Checklist
- Table insert flush with the plate.
- Fence present if promised.
- Blade guard complete.
- Wheel doors latch tight.
Price Range Talk
- Clean runner with one-horse motor sits around three to four hundred in many regions.
- Fresh tires and a solid fence add value.
- Cracked cast iron knocks big dollars off, walk away if the break sits on a stressed spot.
Fast Tune-Up That Lasts
Get the saw home, set one hour aside, and follow these ten steps. Each one stacks on the last, so resist the urge to skip.
- Level and Anchor
Shim the stand. No rock allowed. A shaky base adds drift. - Clean and Wax
Mineral spirits scrub rust, gray pad scuffs grime, paste wax seals the plate. - Check Coplanar Wheels
Blade off. Straightedge across rims. Shim upper wheel if planes differ. - Load a Fresh Blade
Pick width to match work, slip it on, center teeth on the crown. - Track by Hand
Turn the top wheel. Adjust tracking knob until blade runs true. - Set Tension
Use the flutter test. Run saw slow, raise tension until flutter stops, add a hair more. - Square the Table
Hold a small square on the plate against the blade. Adjust stop bolt if needed. - Dial Guides
Blocks stay a paper width from the blade sides. Thrust bearing sits a whisper behind the back edge. - Fence Drift Check
Make a freehand cut on scrap, stop halfway, lock the board, align the fence to that kerf if drift appears. - Warm Run
Power on for three minutes. Touch the blade back. Warm is fine. Hot warns of friction or dull teeth.
This ritual feels long at first, yet it becomes muscle memory. Your cuts will show the difference.
Blade Choices That Fit the Job
The Delta 28-245 handles a wide spread of widths and tooth counts, so match the blade to the task.
Tight Curves
- Width one-eighth or three-sixteenth inch.
- Tooth count fourteen to eighteen per inch for thin stuff, six to ten for thicker.
- Feed slow and clear dust often.
General Work
- Width one-quarter or three-eighth.
- Tooth count six skip for hardwood.
- Four tooth for faster but rougher rips.
Veneer and Resaw
- Width one-half or three-quarter if guides allow.
- Tooth count three hook for deep stock.
- Tension a notch higher to keep the line straight.
Tip. A sharp blade fixes half of all bandsaw gripes. Swap first, adjust second.
Resaw Routine That Delivers Flat Veneer
I love the hushed feel when a tall plank parts into two thin skins. The saw hums, the board warms, and sweet scent rises. Follow this path.
- Install the wide resaw blade.
- Dial tension up one extra turn past the flutter stop.
- Set thrust bearings just off contact.
- Square the fence to the table.
- Make a test cut on scrap, adjust for drift if the blade pulls.
- Use a tall fence face.
- Featherboard presses the plank tight, hands steer not shove.
- Keep feed steady, watch the line on the end grain, trust the blade.
If you hear chatter, ease pressure and clear chips. If you smell burn, the blade needs set or the feed is too timid.
Upgrades Worth Your Time
You can run stock parts for years, yet a few changes lift comfort.
- Ceramic guide blocks run cool and slide close with no spark.
- Ball bearing guides turn smooth and shine with wide blades.
- Urethane tires install easy and grip blades well.
- Link belt cuts drive vibe if pulleys sit true.
- Mobile base frees floor space in tight shops.
- Bright gooseneck light shows the cut line even in late twilight.
Each tweak costs less than a new machine, yet yields a friendlier ride.
Dust Control on an Open Stand
Cast iron hides no dust, it sheds it all over the floor. Clamp-on fixes help.
- Cut a two-and-one-half inch hole in the lower wheel cover.
- Screw a shop-vac port over the hole, seal gaps with foam tape.
- Add a small hood near the lower guide if you cut veneer daily.
- Clear the wheel case now and then with a stiff brush.
A real dust collector beats a vac, but any pull is better than none.
Ongoing Care Schedule
Short habits keep the saw sweet.
- After each use
Brush off chips, wipe the plate, drop blade tension if idle for days. - Monthly
Check tires for pitch glaze. Spin bearings by hand, feel for grit. Tug belt. - Quarterly
Pop the table, sweep lower guides, dab dry lube on the post, tighten stand bolts. - Yearly
Swap cracked tires, slip on a fresh belt, replace noisy bearings, mark zero again.
Small moves add up, like wiping glue off a chisel before it turns stone hard.
Troubleshooting at a Glance
Problem and fix in two lines to save scrolling.
- Blade drifts
Fresh blade, true tracking, snug guides, reset fence only after tune. - Blade pops off
Raise tension, check tires, confirm wheels share one plane. - Cut burns
Fewer teeth, faster feed, guide contact light, lube blade sides. - Vibration
Bad belt, flat tire spot, loose stand foot, link belt often cures. - Motor stalls
Dull blade first, slipping belt second, weak capacitor third. - Guide squeal
Thrust bearing too tight, side blocks pinch, back off until silent.
Keep this list taped near the switch, the saw will talk to you, you just need the key.
Project Ideas That Shine on a Delta 28-245
Curved Cabinet Doors
Resaw matching veneer first, then shape rails with a gentle arc. A point fence helps trace an even sweep.
Bandsaw Boxes
Use a quarter inch blade, cut the outline, slice the back, hollow the drawer, glue up, sand, and smile when the grain flows around the corners.
Cabriole Legs
Trace pattern on two faces, cut one face, tape waste back, rotate ninety degrees, cut again. Shave with a rasp until the leg feels alive.
Quick Tenons
Wide blade, fence set, cheek pass on one side, flip stock, repeat. Sneak up on a snug fit and avoid the whine of a dado stack.
Shop Jigs
Circle sled, curve template for chair backs, zero-clear insert for paper-thin strips. The saw builds helpers that speed future cuts.
Safety Habits That Stick
- Eye and ear gear every spin.
- Roll sleeves tight, hair pulled back.
- Hands stay left and right of the kerf, never in line.
- Push stick for small work keeps skin safe.
- Let the blade stop before you pull stock out of a cut.
- Pick the right blade, force causes trouble.
The saw feels kind, yet steel teeth do not forgive.
Frequent Questions
What blade length fits my stock saw?
Ninety-three and one-half inches works for most Delta 28-245 units without a riser.
How wide a blade can I run?
One-eighth to three-quarter covers every task, though guides and tires must agree.
How much horsepower is plenty?
One horse handles home resaw, three-quarter works with sharp blades, half horse needs patient feed.
Can I add a riser?
Yes, if you find the right kit, you gain near twelve inches of height, plus you need a longer blade, around one-hundred-five inches.
Where can I grab a manual?
Vintage machinery sites post free scans, parts sellers sometimes link PDFs.
What is a fair used price?
Clean runner sits near three to four hundred, riser and fence push value up, cracked cast drops it.
Why does my cut wander?
Usually a dull blade, loose guides, or fast feed. Tune first, blame fence second.
Which tires work best?
Fourteen-inch urethane tires snap on warm and skip glue fuss.
How tight should tension be?
Use the flutter test, stop flutter, add a touch more for resaw, the blade should ping like a low guitar.
What speed do the wheels run?
About three thousand surface feet per minute on single speed models.
A Shop Tale
Last winter I had eight quarter walnut planks begging for a second life as door panels. I swapped in a half inch three tooth hook blade, cranked tension, and squared the fence. The first pass peeled a sweet curl, and that earthy walnut scent floated up. I fed steady, no rush, and each veneer fell free at three sixteenths thick. I stacked the slices like pages, grain waving across them like water on sand. That moment made clear why I keep this saw tuned.
Closing Thoughts
The Delta 28-245 stands like an old friend that never brags yet always helps. Tune it once, keep it clean, pick sharp blades, and it will serve for decades. I hope these notes guide your next cut and spark fresh ideas. Grab some scrap, fire up the saw, and listen to that low hum. Your next project waits in the wood.
Happy cutting.